Physical abuse spreads to local government arena

Nearly two-thirds (60 per cent) of local government workers have had to deal
with people who are verbally aggressive, and 33 per cent with people who are
physically threatening, a survey by Unison has reported.

The study of 3,000 workers also found 66 per cent had considered leaving in
the past 12 months, and 75 per cent were aged over 40.

More than a fifth regularly worked weekends and bank holidays, with split,
mixed shifts and multiple jobs a significant feature, it added.

Violence against shopworkers is also on the increase, with at least one
million incidents of violence, threats or abuse aimed at UK shopworkers since
1995, the shopworkers’ union Usdaw has estimated.

Many incidents go unreported because shopworkers now see them as normal,
everyday occurrences, it added.